More than 164,000 Pakistani nationals have been deported from various Gulf countries over the past five years, according to official figures presented in the National Assembly — a number that has sparked serious concern among lawmakers and raised urgent questions about the welfare and protection of Pakistani workers abroad.
The data revealed that Saudi Arabia recorded the highest number of deportations among all Gulf states, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. The statistics were shared during a tense parliamentary session that also witnessed protests from opposition lawmakers over separate political and healthcare-related issues.
The disclosure reignited debate among legislators about the mounting challenges faced by Pakistani workers in Gulf countries — regions where millions of Pakistanis travel each year in search of better employment opportunities and a chance to support their families back home.
According to officials, the majority of deportation cases are linked to violations of immigration and labor laws in host countries. The most common reasons include overstaying visas, working without proper documentation, breaching employment agreements, involvement in illegal activities and failure to comply with local regulations. Authorities also noted that increasingly strict enforcement of immigration policies across Gulf states has further contributed to the rising deportation numbers in recent years.
The alarming figures have once again brought the issue of overseas employment management and worker protection to the forefront of national debate. Lawmakers stressed the urgent need for better awareness programs, stronger government-to-government coordination, and improved monitoring systems to ensure that workers fully understand visa requirements and local laws before they leave Pakistan.
Experts have warned that such large deportation numbers could damage Pakistan’s international reputation and create additional barriers for genuine job seekers hoping to secure employment in Gulf states — at a time when overseas remittances from Pakistanis working abroad remain one of the most vital sources of foreign exchange for the country.
The welfare and legal protection of Pakistani migrant workers is not just a humanitarian issue — it is a national economic priority that demands serious and sustained attention from the government.
